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Transcript

War crimes at the Hague

Correspondents Report - Sunday, 8 July , 2001 8:00

Reporter: Matt Peacock

HAMISH ROBERTSON: Last week's extradition to the Hague of the former Yugoslav strongman, Slobodan Milosevic, marked an historic turning point, not only in the history of international criminal law, as the United Nations' Chief Prosecutor, Carla Del Ponte, was quick to emphasise, but also for the UN itself.

Because despite all the odds, a tribunal which was originally regarded by most nations with considerable scepticism, has suddenly succeeded beyond all expectation.

Matt Peacock reports.

MATT PEACOCK: As Slobodan Milosevic contemplates his future from his cell near the Hague, he no doubt dreams of the example set by one of his most feared militia commanders, Arkan, whose tigers performed some of the worst atrocities during the Balkans ethnic cleansing.

Some years ago Arkan was arrested for his gangster activities and imprisoned in a similar Dutch prison, only to escape over the wall and into the sand dunes.

For Mr Milosevic, the war still hasn't ended and as a team of Canadian and US lawyers head to the Hague to offer their services, he'll no doubt continue to fight his media war against those he says are trying to destroy the Serbian people. And if they don't like his defiance against the tribunal;

SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC [FILE EXCERPT]: That's your problem.

MATT PEACOCK: It's classic Milosevic, but what many failed to notice is that it wasn't a problem for the tribunal. It's been there and done that. It's already dealt with prisoners who've wanted to use it as a political platform. Hence the microphone controls. A flick of the judge's switch and Milosevic was silent. This time they were even more careful. A guard held his microphone, able to snatch it away if anything went wrong.

The tribunal, which in now in the throes of upwardly revising it's budget, is one of those UN bodies which has been able to actually do its job despite its general lack of support. And as Mr Milosevic launches his defence, prepare for dirty linen to be aired.

The French, the British, the United States, all had dealings with the man and all had turned blind eyes to one atrocity or another by one or other side in the former Yugoslavia, when it suited them. They all have embarrassing skeletons in the cupboard.

Mr Milosevic was the west's two and a half billion dollar man, but after him, there will be more. Already they can hide, but they cannot run. They're quarantined by the tribunal's indictments and now, with their protectors, under serious pressure.

Already the tribunal is about to demonstrate that it's not just picking on Serbs. Over the next few weeks we can expect the arrests of those who murdered and butchered Serbs too, as the tribunal continues to spread it's net. And for those who scoff or sneer at the concept of international criminal law and deride the tribunal as a victor's court, there may be a surprise. As the precedents stack up, the lessons may be learnt.